August 24, 2025
Cincinnati Bengals' sixth round rookie running back has done enough through camp to earn the top backup spot on the latest 53-man projection.
Chase Brown showed down the stretch last season that he can thrive in a workhorse role, and projects that the team will keep only three running backs on their initial roster, with Brooks and Perine splitting backup duty. Brooks had an extremely productive college career, and he is built for hard yardage and goal-line work. At 230 pounds, he outweighs Brown by about 15 pounds. His pass-blocking skills have also reportedly carried over as he transitions to the pro game, which is usually one of the most difficult hurdles to clear for a rookie trying to make his way onto the field. Brooks could have standalone value if he's able to vulture goal-line carries, and his upside is as high as any backup in the league should Brown miss time to injury.
--Patrick McGrathSource: Ben Baby
August 24, 2025
Including the opening kickoff of the Kansas City Chiefs' preseason finale against the Bears on Friday, rookie running back
Brashard Smith was featured on three of the game's first seven plays. And even though the 7th-round former wide receiver dropped a pass on 2nd-and-10, he rewarded his coaches for going back to him, taking a 12-yard pass to the Bears' three-yard line three plays later to set up Pacheco's opening drive score. While seeing action in all three preseason games, Smith has seen six targets and caught four of them. A natural pass catcher, the Chiefs appear to have a role in mind for him, and it's one that we've seen lead to fantasy value in Andy Reid's offense.
Jerick McKinnon was a league winner in 2022, catching 16 passes for four touchdowns during the fantasy playoffs, and if Smith can become the featured pass-catching back for the Chiefs, he could prove to be a late-round steal.
--Patrick McGrathSource: Zak Gilbert
August 24, 2025
Cleveland Browns rookie linebacker Carson Schwesinger recorded six total tackles and a QB hit across his 24 snaps this preseason, and NFL draft analyst Lance Zierlein believes he could be in play for Defensive Rookie of the Year. The former walk-on turned 2nd-round pick has been the buzz of Browns training camp, as he plays with tremendous game speed and instincts that are rare for a seasoned veteran, much less a rookie. With Cleveland projected to be trailing often this season, Schwesinger is a safe bet to accumulate astronomical tackle numbers at the center of Jim Schwartz's defense. However, six of the last eight DROYs have played on teams that finished the year with a winning record, which explains Schwesinger's current +3000 odds to take home the award, 13th highest amongst his class.
--Patrick McGrathSource: Lance Zierlein
August 24, 2025
The deal sending former Washington Commanders running back
Brian Robinson Jr. to San Francisco has been processed by the league, and he is now officially a 49er. San Francisco sent a 2026 sixth-round pick to the Commanders in exchange for the 4th-year back. With the 49ers'
Isaac Guerendo (shoulder) and
Jordan James (finger), currently hampered by injury, Robinson can secure a top backup role behind do-everything All-Pro
Christian McCaffrey. Ultimately, he will likely split time with Guerendo in a 2A/2B scenario, but with McCaffrey's history of injuries, both are worth rostering in all league formats, and either could be thrust into a starting role should McCaffrey miss any time this season.
--Patrick McGrathSource: Adam Schefter
August 24, 2025
New England Patriots undrafted rookie wide receiver
Efton Chism III has been turning heads in Foxborough since rookie OTAs. Patriots Insider Phil Perry believes he has done enough to earn a spot on the team's initial 53-man roster. With
Stefon Diggs,
DeMario Douglas,
Mack Hollins,
Kayshon Boutte, and
Kyle Williams all but locks to make the team, the belief around New England is that Chism and 2nd-year wideout
Javon Baker are competing for a potential sixth spot in the room. Baker has struggled to find a meaningful role outside of his special teams contributions, Chism's 12 preseason receptions were the third most in the NFL despite only playing in his team's first two games. As long as Douglas remains healthy, he should own the bulk of New England's slot work, but Chism makes for an interesting add in deep dynasty leagues.
--Patrick McGrathSource: Phil Perry
August 24, 2025
The Philadelphia Eagles have released third-year quarterback
Dorian Thompson-Robinson. Thompson-Robinson was acquired via trade and a 5th-round pick in a deal that sent
Kenny Pickett to the Browns in March. The Eagles traded for
Sam Howell earlier on Sunday, and with fellow third-year quarterback
Tanner McKee (thumb) looking like one of the stars of this year's preseason, Thompson-Robinson became expendable. McKee is dealing with a fractured thumb and his status for Week 1 is in doubt. The Eagles' backup quarterback job has been extremely fantasy relevant of late, with Pro Bowler
Jalen Hurts missing late-season action in two of the past three seasons. With a plentitude of offensive weapons at their disposal, whoever can hold the job between McKee and Howell will be worth stashing in deep Superflex and dynasty leagues.
--Patrick McGrathSource: Tom Pelissero
August 24, 2025
Green Bay Packers rookie wide receiver
Savion Williams (hamstring) was one of 19 Packers players to miss the team's preseason finale due to injury. The 6'5" 225-pound third-round pick out of TCU missed time earlier in camp due to a concussion, and he could not participate in any of the team's preseason games. With his inability to stay on the field, there are concerns that his impact could be limited, especially early in the season. The Packers have been without three of their top receivers --
Jayden Reed (foot),
Dontayvion Wicks (calf),
Christian Watson (knee) -- for much of camp, so the opportunity has been there to carve out a role in Matt Lafleur's offense. Unfortunately, Williams has been unable to seize that opportunity, and as such, should remain an afterthought in most draft formats.
--Patrick McGrathSource: Bill Huber
August 24, 2025
Seattle Seahawks rookie tight end
Elijah Arroyo was among a group of healthy players held out of Saturday's preseason finale against the Packers, indicating his spot near the top of the depth chart. Arroyo was selected in the second round of the 2025 Draft and was eased into action following a knee injury suffered at the Senior Bowl. He was targeted twice in the team's first two preseason games, coming down with all four grabs for 33 yards. The Seahawks were comfortable enough with what they have in Arroyo and second-year tight end
AJ Barner to release
Noah Fant in July. Arroyo displays incredible twitchiness for his size and has been moved all over the formation during Seahawks practices. He could carve out a substantial role in Seattle's new look offense and is an intriguing selection late in drafts.
--Patrick McGrathSource: Curtis Crabtree
August 24, 2025
Jacksonville Jaguars rookie running back
Bhayshul Tuten finished his preseason with 16 carries for 59 yards and two touchdowns. The fourth-round pick out of Virginia Tech, who missed some training camp time with a hamstring injury, has shown flashes of his dual-threat ability. Tuten, who had 1,159 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns on the ground and 23 catches for 81 yards and two touchdowns in his final year at Virginia Tech, will start the season behind
Travis Etienne Jr. and
Tank Bigsby. However, he is a late-round stash with massive upside if either of the starters gets hurt. He could carve out a significant pass-catching role for himself throughout the season.
--Don FanelliSource: ESPN
August 24, 2025
Houston Texans wide receiver
Jaylin Noel finished his preseason with a quiet stat line of three catches for 18 yards and no touchdowns. Despite the limited production, the rookie third-round pick from Iowa State has garnered significant praise from quarterback
C.J. Stroud, who told beat writer Jared Koch that the young wideout "looks great" and is "making plays out here every day." While Noel currently sits behind veteran wide receiver
Christian Kirk on the depth chart, Kirk is entering his eighth season and is coming off an injury. Given that his Iowa State teammate,
Jayden Higgins, appears to have earned a starting role, Noel could also see the field a fair amount this season. Noel is a solid late-round fantasy flier, especially for managers who believe Kirk may be on the downslope of his career.
--Don FanelliSource: Jared Koch
August 24, 2025
Denver Broncos rookie wide receiver
Pat Bryant, a third-round pick out of Illinois, finished his impressive preseason with 10 catches for 129 yards. The 6'3", 190-pound wideout, who had 54 catches for 984 yards and 10 touchdowns his senior year, has earned the backup role to the team's top wideout,
Courtland Sutton. This was made possible by the Broncos' trade of
Devaughn Vele to the New Orleans Saints on August 20, which moved Bryant up the depth chart. The rookie has received a lot of praise from coach Sean Payton and is a player to keep an eye on. If anything were to happen to Sutton, Bryant could immediately step into a significant role, making him a sneaky late-round pick in drafts and a future waiver-wire target.
--Don FanelliSource: ESPN
August 24, 2025
Seattle Seahawks rookie wide receiver
Tory Horton (ankle) is still dealing with a minor ankle injury he sustained during last week's preseason win over the Kansas City Chiefs. However, his strong camp and preseason performance may have already earned him a starting spot. The fifth-round pick out of Colorado State finished the preseason with four catches for 41 yards and a touchdown. Horton had over 1,000 yards in two consecutive seasons at Colorado State, and the Seahawks' beat writer suggests he has been "rising up the depth chart so fast that he is now expected to start alongside
Jaxon Smith-Njigba and
Cooper Kupp." If Horton does begin the season as a starter, he could be a sneaky late-round flier in fantasy drafts. Keep an eye on his injury status for Week 1, as his fantasy stock is on the rise.
--Don FanelliSource: Tim Weaver
August 24, 2025
New York Jets rookie tight end
Mason Taylor was one of many key players who did not play in the team's final preseason game against the Philadelphia Eagles on Friday. A second-round pick out of LSU, Taylor battled an ankle injury earlier in training camp but has reportedly impressed in practice during his time on the field. Taylor was listed behind
Jeremy Ruckert at tight end on the team's first unofficial depth chart. However, Ruckert was on the field for the preseason finale, which could indicate that Taylor will open the season as the team's top tight end. Taylor should not be expected to provide top-12 fantasy production at the position early in his rookie season. However, he could eventually emerge as a key contributor in New York with the team low on pass-catching talent behind top wide receiver
Garrett Wilson.
--Will BradySource: NFL.com
August 24, 2025
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback
Tanner McKee (thumb) has suffered a fractured thumb that could lead to him being unavailable for Week 1, per Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. McKee is not expected to require a stint on injured reserve as the fracture is considered relatively minor. Philadelphia acquired quarterback
Sam Howell from the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, so Howell could open the season as the backup to
Jalen Hurts while McKee is sidelined. However, Rapoport writes that the Howell trade "likely would've happened" regardless of McKee's injury status, so the Eagles may be planning to carry three quarterbacks. Assuming McKee can make a quick return, he remains the name for fantasy managers to know should Hurts go down with an injury.
--Will BradySource: NFL.com - Ian Rapoport
August 24, 2025
Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski said that he hasn't yet settled on a backup quarterback behind veteran
Joe Flacco for Week 1, but that he expects
Kenny Pickett (hamstring) to be available, per ESPN's Daniel Oyefusi. Pickett suffered a hamstring injury in July that prevented him from playing in the preseason, but he was able to return to practice in a limited fashion in late August. It appears as though Cleveland might still be more comfortable with Pickett than either of the team's two rookie quarterbacks,
Dillon Gabriel and
Shedeur Sanders. Regardless, Pickett is highly unlikely to be fantasy-relevant in 2025.
--Will BradySource: ESPN - Daniel Oyefusi
RADIO
